DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,841

ROCK OF AGES CORP.
QUARRY DIVISION
GRANITEVILLE, VERMONT

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance
and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on February 13, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Rock of Ages Corp., Quarry Division, Graniteville,
Vermont. Workers mine for barre gray dimensional granite blocks.
Employment and sales at the subject firm declined comparing
data reported for 2007 compared to 2006.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of articles like or
directly competitive with barre gray granite blocks in 2006 and
2007. The survey revealed an increased reliance on imports of
articles like or directly competitive with barre gray granite
blocks during the relevant period.
Furthermore, aggregate United States imports of dimension
stone increased from 2006 to 2007.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of
1974 (26 USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein
presents the results of its investigation regarding certification
of eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined in this case that the requirements of Section 246 have
been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over
and do not possess skills that are easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with barre gray dimensional granite
blocks produced by Rock of Ages Corp., Quarry Division,
Graniteville, Vermont, contributed importantly to the total or
partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales or
production at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Rock of Ages Corp., Quarry Division,
Graniteville, Vermont, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after January 17, 2007 through
two years from the date of certification are eligible to apply
for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act
of 1974, and are also eligible to apply for alternative trade
adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of
1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 27th day of March 2008


/s/Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance